GOING FOR A GOVERNMENT TASK

The second mission was activated.

Frank was dumbfounded.

"Where now do I begin? Which is this undisclosed place that Noel was taken? Who took her?"

Seeing that he could not find any answers he decided to make some preparations. Learning from the first mission he knew he had to sufficiently equip himself. He had encountered some small primary 1 monsters which he easily defeated and got 210 credit points. He had also unlocked an ability and some skills. But he had no weapons! Furthermore, his attributes were then very low just 11.

"I suppose I need to increase my attributes again."

Currently he was an average man with a total of 16 points. He was in the rank of Ordinary Subject beginner.

"Zu Shi, how many points to break through from beginner to intermediate?" he enquired.

[100 total attribute points] the AI informed him.

"What? How can I reach 100 yet am just at 16 now?"

There was no response and he guessed he had to toil for it.

Checking the time on his laptop he decided he would take a stroll and see more of his new neighbourhood. He locked his door and started walking leisurely along the alley.

Surprisingly as he walked, the area started seeming familiar. It was as if only the houses were upgraded but this was his own area where he lived before the new era dawned. If so, he recalled there would be a market a few hundred metres ahead.

He started walking briskly and sure enough he started meeting an increased number of people along the way. Some responded to his greetings but others didn't bother with him. He soon reached the market.

The stalls and shops were where he expected them to be but they looked more modernized. The ones which were once made from scrap tins and old iron sheets were now brick-walked and painted. The entire area had undergone an advanced facelift. However, what in the old area he used to know as hardware now had a name board called "Equipment Supplies Store"

Curiously he entered the store. Behind the counter a middle aged man sat. He recognized him as the previous owner of the hardware who was his friend.

"Hello Jack!" Frank greeted.

"Oh Frank! Good to see you! How are You!" Jack responded warmly thrusting forward his bulky arm for him to shake.

"Am good buddy, just passing by to see what equipment you now sell! You know it has been a long time!"

He waited for Jack to say something along that line. To his surprise he didn't.

"Great! I have restocked all sorts of weaponry and tools basically for all ranks!" Jack went on about his trade. A hardware selling weapons!!

Just like that! Frank wondered. It seemed like Jack wasn't bothered to ask him about what happened or even say something about the new era. He soon found out that he was the only one stuck with a mind-set of the previous era. People had already moved on and embraced this new way of life. He too had to cope up.

"This is absolutely crazy," he muttered inwardly. He left Jack and went from shelf to shelf looking at various assortment of tools and equipment. There were weapons of all kinds just as the store owner had mentioned. He particularly liked the blades he found on one shelf and lifted some to have a closer look.

"I think I will take this one for hunting," he picked up one long sword. It was sheathed in a nice pack and he liked the feel of it.

[Swift Blade: a powerful fighting sword appropriate for beginner and intermediate evolvers. Cost 50 credit points]

He listened to the voice and wondered. Only this one sword to cost this much! Basically he would remain with only 10 credit points after purchasing this. Even so, it is good to be equipped for he didn't know what lay ahead.

"I see you have a good taste!" Jack complemented him as he scanned his bracelet to make the payment.

Frank looked at his balance reflected on his wristwatch and he groaned inwardly.

"Damn expensive!" he remarked out loud.

"What do you say, this is only the second category among the lowest priced fighting tools here. The least is just 40 credits!" Jack was stunned but looking at Frank he nodded his head.

"I understand, man. At this age most people have zero balances and thus very broke! But you can try out some government tasks and earn yourself some credits faster!"

Frank's interest soared. "What tasks? Where?"

"Just go to Government service centre! It is at the Old city square!"

"Thanks man I will check them out immediately!" Frank said and immediately left. He badly needed some credits to purchase all that he required for the mission ahead. He only had 4 days!

Reaching the town centre he easily found the service centre offices. It was an overly crowded place. It seemed all broke people rushed here to try to make some credits. There was a long queue and Frank instinctively joined them.

After like an hour of standing in the queue finally it was his turn to be registered. A pretty female staff sat on a high desk just near the entrance. She smiled as she directed Frank to place his right palm on a biometric sensor machine which immediately scanned and revealed his identity. He was given a small card and ushered into the large hall ahead.

Inside the hall, hundreds of people sat anxiously waiting. They expected someone to come to the podium in front of them and address them. However, after a shortwhile, the huge screens mounted on the walls came alive and a gentleman appeared.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen!" he began. His Voice sounded like an AI as far as Frank could tell.

"Or maybe it is because he is addressing us from some other place," he thought.

"I am your cluster Representative Leader. Now all of you registered here today are Ordinary Subject Beginners. The task that you will be assigned will be one of the numerous steps you will need to take to improve on your Rank. Remember, this first task you will take as a team. You must successfully complete or else you will loose one reform quarter each! The task begins tomorrow morning and ends in the evening. You will receive details of your team and the task in your communication devices in your hands. Good luck!"